X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Post-Injury Fantasy Baseball Hitters Set For A Comeback Season In 2025

Matt McLain - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, MLB Injury News

Tommy identifies post-injury fantasy baseball sleepers, hitters who disappointed last year but are sure to rebound in 2025. His favorite rebound picks to draft.

It's that time of year again! We are knee-deep in MLB spring training news and notes, which means fantasy baseball managers should be knee-deep in research and preparation for those upcoming drafts and auctions.

You know what they say; you can't win a league with a good draft, but you can lose it with a bad one! So, without further ado, let's take a look at three fantasy baseball hitters who are primed for bounce-back seasons in 2025.

This group of fantasy baseball hitters has one major factor in common: injury impacted their 2024 campaign. However, I'll explain below why each of these sluggers has a good chance to provide value this year compared to their draft-day price tags, assuming they can stay healthy this time around.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Kwan's 2024 was a tale of two halves. At the All-Star break, the speedy leadoff hitter for the Guardians was leading the league with a .352 batting average. Then, perhaps due to a lingering hamstring injury and some back inflammation that eventually led to season-ending IL stints, the lefty hit just .201 in the second half of the year.

With strong gains in the power department (14 home runs), nearly identical walk and strikeout rates, and even a handful of stolen bases, it was evident that Kwan's approach as a table-setting contact hitter was legitimately working in front of a group of dangerous Cleveland hitters. When healthy, the 27-year-old outfielder might be one of the most underrated top-of-the-order hitters in the game.

Kwan appears to be back to his old self this spring, hitting .313 with a .343 on-base percentage and one homer thus far in spring training. The Guardians are primed to contend once again, leading on a bunch of run production from the top half of their lineup.

Whether it's a points or roto league, there is a ton to like about Kwan in 2025, and his injury-marred second half last year has provided some draft-day value this March.

 

Matt McLain, Cincinnati Reds

After an impressive MLB debut in 2023 in which McLain hit .290 with 16 homers and 14 stolen bases in just over half a season, he devastatingly injured his shoulder right around this time last year, missing all of 2024 as a result. However, he's back now, and he's ready to pick up where he left off.

A .344 BABIP during his time in the bigs does bring some speculation about sustainability throughout a full season, but a 33.6 percent hard hit rate along with 27 barrels in half a season show that there's some legitimate pop here. The 25-year-old has always done an excellent job of hitting the ball hard in the air, evidenced by his high HR/FB rates at every level of competition.

An ADP between picks 75 and 100 don't fully do justice for this 30-30 threat who could also bring a plus batting average to the table. McLain has been hitting ahead of his lethal infield mate, Elly De La Cruz, which should lead to plenty of runs if both can stay healthy in a hitter-friendly ballpark.

It's unfortunate that McLain's sophomore campaign had to be delayed due to his shoulder injury, but early indications in Spring Training are backing up the fact that this young five-tool player is ready to play a major role for the Reds this year and beyond. Now is your chance to scoop up McLain in the middle rounds of your drafts, or for $10-$14 in your auctions in both points and roto leagues.

 

Josh Jung, Texas Rangers

Jung was primed for a massive 2024 season for the Rangers, as fantasy managers far and wide were ready to see the power breakout from the 26-year-old third baseman.

Unfortunately, he injured his wrist in the fourth game of the year, and he was placed on the shelf until the end of July with the injury. When he returned for the final 43 games of the season, he wasn't himself, hitting five home runs with a .248 average and a 26 percent strikeout rate.

When the dreadful season (for both him and the Rangers) finally came to a close, Jung opted for another wrist procedure to hopefully clear the ailment for good. Now, he's more ready than ever to pick up where he left off in 2023 when he ran into 23 homers in just 122 games for Texas.

So far in spring training, Jung has just one home run and the average is lower than he'd like, but that will allow fantasy managers to keep the hype train in the station for a little longer.

Assuming health, the former eighth overall pick out of Texas Tech is a candidate for 30 homers and LOADS of run production in what should be a big year for the Rangers offense. Plan on using a middle-round pick or look for some auction budget value on what could be a cheap source of plus power in your upcoming drafts.

 

Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays

It would be remiss of me to end this list with anyone other than Bo Bichette. He's become everyone's front-runner for a bounce-back season, but it's not without good reason. The 27-year-old phenom played just half a season last year, battling injuries between long IL stints, and his stats were just as disappointing as his unavailability by season's end.

Coming off a .306 average in 2023, the Blue Jays shortstop hit just .225 along with his steep power decline (four home runs). But here comes the good news, Bichette's strikeout rate stayed strong at just 19 percent, and he walked the most he has since his debut season at 6 percent. He still managed to hit 30.5 percent of his balls hard, but that led to a low 5.3 percent HR/FB rate and a nearly impossible .269 BABIP.

Bichette is primed and ready for a big bounce-back campaign, evidenced by his solid spring training. He's hitting .353 with two round-trippers in 34 spring at-bats so far. Don't let one down year change your overall opinion of this young, special talent. Buy the dip on Bichette.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Qualifies Ninth For the FireKeepers Casino 400
Alex Bowman

What Should Fantasy Players do With Alex Bowman at Michigan?
Austin Cindric

Should Austin Cindric be Considered For Michigan DFS Lineups?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Should Shane Van Gisbergen Be Rostered For Michigan DFS Lineups?
John Hunter Nemechek

Is A Solid Value Option For Michigan DFS Lineups
Zane Smith

Is Zane Smith Worth Rostering Outside of Tournament Lineups at Michigan?
Todd Gilliland

Is A Decent Value Option for Michigan DFS Lineups
Ryan Blaney

One of the Leading DFS Contenders, but Might Be Slightly Overpriced
Ross Chastain

Has Less DFS Value than Usual Since He Qualified Better
Joey Logano

Penske Putting More Emphasis on Non-Playoff Tracks This Year, so Joey Logano Should Run Better at Michigan
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Likely to Regress to the Mean at Michigan
Carson Hocevar

After Back-to-Back Top Five Runs, Carson Hocevar Could Easily Lead Today
Austin Dillon

Richard Childress Racing's Decline in Intermediate Speed Will Likely Override Austin Dillon's Solid Record
Daniel Suarez

Will Likely Need a Strategy Play to Contend at Michigan
Josh Berry

It's Unclear Whether Josh Berry's 1.5-Mile Oval Speed Will Transfer to Michigan, but It Looks Likely
Michael McDowell

Has Weak Michigan Record, but Will Probably Run Better than He Has in the Past
Noah Gragson

Has Little DFS Value, but Probably More than His Teammates
Justin Haley

Too Mediocre to Consider for DFS Play at Michigan
Riley Herbst

Despite 23XI Racing's Speed, Don't Expect Riley Herbst to Contend at Michigan
Cole Custer

Lackluster at Michigan
Trevor Story

has Three Hits, Drives in Five
Julio Rodríguez

Julio Rodriguez Exits With Ankle/Shin Injury After Being Hit by Line Drive
Christopher Morel

Homers Twice in Three-Hit Game
Logan Webb

Fans 10 on Saturday
Jesús Sánchez

Jesus Sanchez Shines in Victory Against Rays
Bryce Elder

Records 12 Strikeouts in No-Decision
Aaron Rodgers

Signs One-Year, $13.65 Million Deal With Steelers
Giancarlo Stanton

Could Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week
Josh Reynolds

Looking Good at OTAs
Will McDonald IV

Adds Weight in the Offseason
Stefon Diggs

Looks Good "Running Routes and Cutting"
Chris Conley

Announces his Retirement
Francisco Lindor

Returning on Saturday
Darius Garland

Available "Under the Right Circumstances"
Zach Edey

to Undergo Surgery, Expected to Miss Start of the Season
Seiya Suzuki

Slugs Two Home Runs in Win Over Tigers
Miami Dolphins

Ben Stille Reuniting with Miami
Chimere Dike

Signed by Tennessee
Dillon Gabriel

Inks Rookie Deal
James Cook

to Miss Mandatory Minicamp?
Tyler Reddick

Has Tire Issue in Practice at Michigan
Luther Burden III

Still Missing From Practice
Jaquan Brisker

Feeling Better
Devaughn Vele

Turning Heads During Offseason Workouts
Carlos Correa

Back in Action on Saturday
Bryce Harper

Lands on Injured List
Sam Hauser

Possibly on the Move?
De'Aaron Fox

: "I'll be Ready for Next Year"
Evan Bouchard

Enjoys Three-Point Period In Game 2 Against Panthers
Connor McDavid

Joins Rare Company with Three-Assist Effort
Sam Bennett

Makes NHL History with Another Goal Friday
Seth Jones

Fills Stat Sheet in Game 2 Against Oilers
Anton Lundell

Notches Two Assists in Friday's Win
Brad Marchand

Leads Panthers to Victory in Game 2 Against Oilers
Tee Higgins

Trying to Prevent Injuries
Lamar Jackson

Extension for Lamar Jackson on Ravens Docket
Anthony Volpe

Leaves Early Friday With Elbow Contusion
Gabriel Moreno

Exits Early on Friday With Hand Injury
Tyreek Hill

Won't Catch Passes Until August
Shane Bieber

Shut Down From Throwing Until Next Week
Ryan Mountcastle

Out 8-12 Months With Grade 2 Hamstring Strain
Rome Odunze

Anticipates Big Year 2
Shea Langeliers

A's Place Shea Langeliers on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Keilan Robinson

Joins Eagles
Ladd McConkey

Focused on Staying Healthy
Logan O'Connor

to Miss 5-6 Months Following Hip Procedure
Ezequiel Tovar

Rockies Place Ezequiel Tovar on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Lindor

Out Again on Friday With Toe Injury
Tyler Seguin

Nursing a Shoulder Injury
DAL

Pete DeBoer Fired by Stars
Stuart Skinner

Seeks Sixth Consecutive Win Friday
Sergei Bobrovsky

Looks to Return to Winning Ways Friday
A.J. Greer

Remains Out Friday
Corbin Burnes

to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Bryce Harper

Day-to-Day With Sore Wrist, Not Playing on Friday
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning on Friday
Gardner Minshew II

Throwing at OTAs
Rondale Moore

Active at OTAs
Colston Loveland

Could Return Soon
Sean O'Malley

Set For A Rematch
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Second Title Defense
Kayla Harrison

Could Become The New UFC Champion
Julianna Peña

Julianna Pena Set For Co-Main Event
Joe Pyfer

A Favorite At UFC 316
Kelvin Gastelum

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Mario Bautista

Looks For His Eighth Consecutive Win
Patchy Mix

Makes His UFC Debut
Vicente Luque

An Underdog At UFC 316
Kevin Holland

Set To Open Up UFC 316 Main Card
Alex Caruso

Shines Off the Bench in Game 1
Luguentz Dort

Knocks Down Five Triples in Game 1
Cason Wallace

Moves into the Starting Lineup in Game 1 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Scores 38 Points in Game 1 Defeat
Obi Toppin

Drops 17 Points in Game 1
Aaron Nesmith

Posts a Double-Double in Pacers Game 1 Victory
Pascal Siakam

Leads the Pacers with 19 Points in Game 1 Win
Tyrese Haliburton

Hits Game-Winning Shot as Pacers Steal Game 1
Karl-Anthony Towns

Undergoes Treatment for Knee, Finger Issues
Kevin Durant

Knicks Reportedly Make an Offer for Kevin Durant
Nicolas Batum

Clippers Expect Nicolas Batum to Return for Next Season
Tyus Jones

Reportedly on Kings Radar
Jeff Green

Wants to Play for Two More Years
Steven Adams

Rockets Desperate to Get Steven Adams Under a New Contract
Fred VanVleet

Likely to Remain in Houston
Nate Schmidt

Logs Pair of Helpers Wednesday
Carter Verhaeghe

Registers Two Assists In Game 1 Loss Against Oilers
Sam Bennett

Establishes New Franchise Record with 12 Postseason Goals
Kasperi Kapanen

Stays Productive in Finals Opener
Connor McDavid

Records Two Assists in Wednesday's Win
Leon Draisaitl

Scores Twice in Game 1 Win Against Panthers
Kristaps Porzingis

to be Moved This Offseason?
Phoenix Suns

Jordan Ott Named Suns Head Coach
Nikita Kucherov

Takes Home Second Ted Lindsay Award
Derek Forbort

Sticking with Canucks for One More Year
Noah Cates

Lands Four-Year, $16 Million Extension
Rico Hoey

a Decent Dark-Horse Option at TPC Toronto
Harry Hall

a Decent Option at TPC Toronto
Beau Hossler

Not Appealing Ahead of RBC Canadian Open
Taylor Pendrith

Could See Success at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Fox

a Solid Option at TPC Toronto
Mackenzie Hughes

is a Risky Option at TPC Toronto
Eric Cole

Not A Great Option For RBC Canadian Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at TPC Toronto
Quade Cummins

Hard to Trust at RBC Canadian Open
PGA

Matti Schmid a High-Risk, High-Reward Play at TPC Toronto
Jake Knapp

a Boom-or-Bust Option at RBC Canadian Open
Doug Ghim

a Sneaky Value Play at RBC Canadian Open
Gary Woodland

a Solid Value Play at RBC Canadian Open
Rory McIlroy

Eyes Third RBC Canadian Open Title
Wyndham Clark

Hoping to Reverse Slide at RBC Canadian Open
Erik Van Rooyen

Erik van Rooyen Continues Rocky 2025 Campaign
Sahith Theegala

Trying to Find Positives in 2025
Justin Rose

Enjoying Career Renaissance at 44
John Pak

Striving to Improve on PGA Tour
Kurt Kitayama

Roller-Coaster Season to Continue in Canada
Max Homa

Motivated for RBC Canadian Open
Ludovit Klein

Outclassed At UFC Vegas 107
Mateusz Gamrot

Bounces Back In The Win Column
Ramiz Brahimaj

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Billy Ray Goff

Gets Submitted
Bruno Lopes

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Dustin Jacoby

Scores First-Round Knockout
Ketlen Vieira

Dominates at UFC Vegas 107
Macy Chiasson

Dominated At UFC Vegas 107
Duško Todorović

Dusko Todorovic Drops Three Fights in a Row
Zachary Reese

Gets Back In The Win Column
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF